Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer (Review)

Finally got myself a sound card. What? Isn't most motherboard already has an integrated sound card? Well, yes of course.

According to Wikipedia. A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to/from a computer under control of computer programs. Typical uses of sound cards include providing the audio component for multimedia applications such as music composition, editing video or audio, presentation/education, and entertainment (games). Many computers have sound capabilities built in, while others require additional expansion cards to provide for audio capability.

An on board sound card only provide the basic sound quality for normal day to day usage while a dedicated expansion sound card provide a fully enriching and customizable sound output to those who demand more.

There is no competition in the sound card industry and the only reputable brand which produce excellent sound card is Creative Technology. Bought this Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer at Low Yat for RM 340. Saw the same product at PC DEPOT but the selling price is RM 450! Such a huge difference. That's why it is not advisable to buy computer hardware at Ipoh unless it is really urgent.

Now, lets analyze the product itself..

In the box you don't get much, just the

• Sound Blaster X-Fi PCI card
• Quick Start leaflet
• Installation and Applications CD containing:
• Drivers for Windows^® XP & Vista
  
• Creative Software Suite
• User's Guide

Sporting a black PCB, it does look cool and steady. This sound card has been in the market for more than a year and the reason I bought it was because the price has dropped drastically since then. There is a Fatal1ty version of this card pumping full of steroids but the price is more than triple.

How about the software provided?

The Creative Audio console lets you tweak the settings and is the place to select between the major modes, Entertainment, Game and Audio Creation, supported by the card. In Windows XP there is a task bar icon and a quick way of selecting between the modes.

Entertainment mode for enjoying music and movie

Game mode for extreme gaming, what else?

The X-Fi Crystalizer is a hardware up-sampling engine that converts the audio into a 24-bit stream that claims to improve the fidelity. It makes the sound crispier and u can slide it to ur own preference.

CMSS-3D is an audio expanding engine that separates stereo or simple multichannel audio into more virtual channels, so if you have basic headphones, a set of stereo speakers or anything up to 5.1 audio, you can experience a virtual 7.1 surround. Since I have only a 2.1 speaker system, it does make some difference but not that fully surround.

In addition there's also Smart Volume Management, or SVM, that monitor the dynamic range of the audio and adjusts the sound volume accordingly, this way you won't get huge differences between massive explosions and quiet whispers in movies for example.

For detailed specifications, please visit creative's site

Verdict:

Thumbs up
Definitely sounds better than on board sound with much tweaking as desired. Supports EAX which is the gold standard in gaming

Thumbs down:
To me, the software provided is quite confusing as the console it is not easily accessible. The installation is also quite slow.

Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer is a very capable card for entertainment, gaming and audio creation. Some people would argue that on-board sound does the job just fine but the sound quality of the XtremeGamer is just head and shoulders over anything on-board.

Think most people do not know where or how they install the sound card. I'll make it into the next posting.

Next on my grocery list.. A 5.1 speaker system!

Image courtesy of boomtown